Origin and effectiveness of the home remedy
Moro's carrot soup – a simple mixture of carrots, water, and a little salt – has been a proven home remedy for diarrhea for over 100 years. It was developed in 1908 by pediatrician Ernst Moro, who was able to drastically reduce the mortality rate among children with severe diarrhea. It is now known that this carrot soup is effective against diarrhea not only in humans, but also in dogs and cats . Its effectiveness has been scientifically proven through studies and laboratory tests – thus, Moro soup can certainly compete with modern remedies and is natural and well-tolerated.
How does Moro soup work? – Anti-adhesive effect through oligosaccharides
The special effectiveness of Moro's carrot soup is due to the chemical changes that occur in the carrots when they are cooked for a long time. At least one hour of cooking time is necessary for the pectin contained in carrots to form certain acidic oligosaccharides (oligogalacturonides) . These tiny sugar molecules are similar in structure to the receptors in the intestinal wall and act as a kind of "placeholder" for pathogens. Pathogenic germs (e.g. diarrheal bacteria such as E. coli ) dock onto the oligosaccharides instead of adhering to the intestinal mucosa and are therefore unable to exert their damaging effects. The pathogens are simply excreted in the stool before they can cause further damage. Laboratory experiments have shown, for example, that pectin oligosaccharides can reduce the adhesion of dangerous E. coli strains to intestinal cells by over 70% . This anti-adhesive mechanism explains why the soup helps even in infections with aggressive diarrheal pathogens – it has even been used to successfully treat diarrhea in antibiotic-resistant bacteria .
In addition to this main mechanism, Moro soup has other positive effects on the irritated gastrointestinal tract. The long cooking process creates an easily digestible carrot solution that compensates for losses of electrolytes such as sodium and potassium . At the same time, the simple sugars it contains (glucose and sucrose) provide energy and promote the absorption of water and salts in the intestines – similar to an electrolyte-glucose solution, but purely natural. In addition, carrots are high in pectin , a fiber that can soothe an inflamed intestinal wall. You could therefore say that Moro's carrot soup has both a rehydrating and prebiotic effect: It supplies the weakened body with fluids and nutrients while supporting the beneficial intestinal bacteria. Thanks to the improved intestinal flora, the intestines recover more quickly and regain their balance.
Areas of application: Which types of diarrhea benefit?
Moro carrot soup is particularly recommended for acute, uncomplicated diarrhea . If a dog has eaten something wrong or is reacting to a change in food with soft stools, the soup can provide rapid relief. It is also extremely effective for diarrhea caused by bacteria (e.g., E. coli ) – in some cases, the soup can even improve such cases faster than with antibiotics, as it immediately prevents the bacteria from attaching. As a general rule, in cases of acute diarrhea, it is recommended to first take a 12-24 hour break from food and then start with Moro soup as a light diet. Due to its gentle composition, it does not burden the intestines and provides the body with what it needs while the intestinal flora regenerates. Many pet owners report that their dog often feels significantly better and the diarrhea stops after just a few portions.
Moro's carrot soup can also be used on cats . Thorough preparation is also important here: raw or briefly cooked carrots would be more likely to cause problems for cats, as they are strict carnivores and have difficulty digesting plant parts. Carrot soup that has been cooked for a long time, on the other hand, is also well tolerated by cats . However, you should plan on smaller amounts - for a cat, around 100 ml per serving is often sufficient, while a large dog can easily get 300-500 ml. Overall, Moro soup is suitable for almost all age groups and breeds of dog and cat as a first measure against diarrhea. Some veterinarians even use it as an adjunct to chronic intestinal problems such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as the prebiotic ingredients help to maintain a balanced intestinal flora.
However, this home remedy has its limitations when it comes to more serious causes. In cases of parasitic diarrhea (e.g., Giardia infection), carrot soup can be fed as a supportive measure, but it is not a substitute for specific treatment. There is no scientific evidence to date that it directly influences or eliminates Giardia, but it can be helpful by generally strengthening the intestines. The same applies to severe viral diarrhea (e.g., parvovirus) or bloody diarrhea of unknown origin: In these cases, the soup should at most be used as a supplementary measure; a visit to the vet is essential . The general rule is: if there is no rapid improvement despite Moro soup, or if additional symptoms (e.g., fever, apathy, bloody stools) occur, veterinary help is essential. Carrot soup is a home remedy and cannot replace necessary medical intervention.
Preparation and feeding instructions
The classic preparation of Moro's carrot soup is incredibly simple: You boil 500 g of peeled carrots in 1 liter of water for at least 60 minutes , then puree the soft carrots together with the cooking water and top up the liquid to 1 liter. Then you add around 2-3 grams of salt (about 1 teaspoon). The long cooking time is important, as this is the only way the effective oligosaccharides are formed. The addition of salt ensures that the body gets back lost electrolytes - but you should n't overdo it with the salt. Dogs and cats are more sensitive to salt than we humans, so it is recommended to use the lower value (2 g/L). In the short term, the small dose of salt is not harmful and supports rehydration, but long-term high doses could be harmful to the kidneys and heart, as is the case with humans.
Feeding: The finished carrot soup should be cooled (lukewarm or room temperature) and offered in small portions. It has proven effective to give small amounts several times a day rather than one large meal. For example, a 10 kg dog can be given about 50–100 ml of soup every 1–2 hours instead of 500 ml at once. This distribution allows the irritated intestine to better absorb the liquid and nutrients. Acceptance: Some animals readily consume the carrot soup, while others—especially picky cats—may turn up their noses. You can cheat by cooking a little lean chicken with the soup or mixing it into the soup to make the smell and taste more appealing. However, it is important not to add any spices or fat to ensure the soup remains easily digestible. Leftover carrot soup can be easily frozen in portions (e.g., in ice cube trays). This way, you have a portion ready when needed and reduce the amount of preparation required.
Limitations and disadvantages
Despite its many advantages, Moro's carrot soup also has a few practical disadvantages or limitations in its use:
- Preparation time: The soup needs to cook for at least an hour. In acute cases, this means a bit of a wait. This time can be reduced by cooking in advance and freezing it – although this home remedy still requires some planning, unlike ready-made ingredients.
- Flavor acceptance: Not every animal will eat carrot soup willingly. Some dogs and many cats don't immediately like the sweet carrot flavor. In these cases, it may be necessary to make the soup more palatable by adding something tempting (cooked chicken).
- Not a complete long-term supply: While carrot soup provides important electrolytes and energy, it is not a complete food. It's ideal as a short-term bland diet, but over a longer period of time it wouldn't provide all the nutrients needed. Therefore, once the diarrhea subsides, a slow transition back to a normal diet should be made.
- Doesn't work for every cause: As mentioned, this home remedy reaches its limits when diarrhea is caused by parasites or serious infections, for example. In these cases, the soup can at best provide support, but not a cure. Therefore, pet owners should closely monitor the situation and consult a veterinarian promptly if the diarrhea persists or worsens.
Modern alternatives and additions
As helpful as Moro's carrot soup is, cooking soup isn't always practical . In hectic everyday situations or when traveling, you don't have the time or ingredients on hand to cook it fresh. For such cases, there are now ready-made anti-diarrheal medications for pets that are based on similar principles and are easy to administer. Vetiness, for example, offers Enterofit Diarrhea Stop (as a paste or capsules), a preparation that effectively stops acute diarrhea. These products contain, among other things, absorbent and soothing ingredients (such as pectins, healing clay, or electrolytes) that protect the intestinal wall and bind toxins—similar to what carrot soup does. At the same time, they are immediately available and can be dosed precisely.
Another option is Vetiness Enterofit Bites with Triple Probiotic Complex . These are tasty chewable tablets containing three selected probiotic bacterial strains . These probiotics specifically promote the regeneration of the intestinal flora and help restore balance in the intestines, which is especially important after diarrhea. Enterofit Bites are suitable for both acute support and aftercare to prevent recurrence of imbalance. They therefore represent a convenient and animal-friendly supplement or alternative to Moro soup—especially for animals that do not like it.
Conclusion
Moro's Carrot Soup is a proven home remedy for diarrhea in dogs and cats, thanks to its unique mechanism of action. Oligosaccharides from slow-cooked carrots prevent pathogens from adhering to the intestinal wall , thus helping to stop diarrhea naturally. At the same time, the soup provides the weakened animal's body with fluids, electrolytes, and easily digestible nutrients—without chemical additives and with virtually no side effects. This old home remedy is therefore ideal for simple diarrhea or as a first measure . Dogs and cats benefit equally from its gentle effect, provided the soup is prepared correctly and offered in appropriate portions.
However, one should be aware of the limitations of this home remedy. In cases of severe or persistent diarrhea, parasitic infestation, or a general worsening of the condition, a veterinarian is always required. In such cases, carrot soup can be used as a supportive measure, but it is not a substitute for specific therapy. For pet owners who find the preparation too time-consuming or whose four-legged friends refuse the soup, alternative products such as Vetiness Enterofit Paste/Capsules and Probiotic Bites are available to easily control diarrhea.
In conclusion, Moro carrot soup is a simple yet effective remedy that, for over a century, has proven time and again how valuable time-tested home remedies can be in modern veterinary medicine. It's definitely worth a try the next time your pet has an upset stomach—it can't hurt, and it often brings the desired results surprisingly quickly.
Sources:
- Lüdinghausen Small Animal Health Center – Moro's Carrot Soup: Help with diarrhea and flatulence (Veterinary Blog, 2019)
- Ärzte Zeitung – Carrot soup according to Moro could also paralyze EHEC (08.06.2011)
- Happenweise Magazine – Moro's Carrot Soup: Recipe for Dogs & Cats (11.03.2019)
- Figopet Magazine – Moro's Carrot Soup: Home Remedy for Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs (2021)
- Rhoades et al., Journal of Food Protection 71(11):2272-2277 (2008)